1960: ‘The Flintstones’ Debuts

In 2013, TV Guide ranked a number of animated cartoons. The Simpsons made the top spot which isn’t surprising. But what is surprising is that a much older cartoon series, The Flintstones was ranked #2. The show, created by Hanna-Barbera, was one of the first animated prime-time cartoons to air on TV and debuted on this day in 1960. The show was made after the success of The Huckleberry Hound Show and the Quick Draw McGraw Show, but those shows attracted kids only. William Hanna said that the show imitated the popular sitcom The Honeymooners, but Joseph Barbera said that if the Jackie Gleason show was used an inspiration, he didn’t remember it. At first, Hanna-Barbera tried out the formula with hillbillies, Romans, pilgrims and native Indians before settling on the now famous stone-age characters. (All of those themes have been used in other franchises.) Originally called The Flagstones the family unit included Fred, Wilma and Fred Jr. (Image: Warner Bros./Hanna-Barbera)